Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-10-22
Journal Correspondents Obtain
New Views on the Case.
Frank Stain Arrives in Augusta
and is Interviewed.
First Dispatch.
Especial to Kennebec Journal. I

DEXTER, Oct. 2l.
All is expectancy and anticipation here.
1t is impossible to meet anyone without en-
tering upon the all absorbing topic of con-
versation Immediately after the exchange of
formal courtesies. The great case has been
argued pro and con over and over again in
the stores, the offices and the hotels. To the
population of the village has suddenly been
added by the incoming trains, an immigra-
ton of repoi ters, lawers, detectives and prom
inent men connected with the case. These
have brought further information concerning
the all important subject and the discussions
have been renewed as points have been ad-
vanced. 1t seems as if none of the earnest
ness manifested nine years ago when the
town was thoroughly start ed by the astound
ing report of the awful tragedy, has been
lost. Your reporter, soon after his arrival,
found himself member of an excited group
who were deeply absorbed in reviewing the
main points of evidence furnished by young
Stains confession. He took notes copiously
and presents to the Journals readers with
what he heard said and how his own sugges-
tions were received. The whole case has
been based upon the confession of Charles
Francis Stain, not the confession which ap-
peared in the New York World, but the orig
nal confession made to Sheriff Mitchell. The
parties implicated are David L. Stain, Oliver
Cromwell and Bill Scott. Scott is dead and
| the two former are really the only ones con-
cerned The fastening of the murder of Bar
ron and the robbery of the Dexter Savings
Bank upon them, is to be done only by iden-
tifying them as the persons who were about
Dexter at the time, and by corroborating the
evidence furnished by young Stains confes
sion.
On the arrival of Stain and Cromwell here
two weeks ago, two very responsible parties,
Mr.. Bichell and Capt. d. w. McCrillis, rec
ognized them, especially Stain, as the stran-
gers who were at Dexter on tina 22nd of Feb
ruary, 1878. Harvey, in his confession, also
states that Cromwell told him that they were
in Dexter and concerned in the robbery
Two persons were taken to Massachusetts
and recognized these men as those whom
they saw at Dexter just before the bank was
robbed. The photographs which Burnham
Estes procured at the time also afford some
means of Identification. The prosecution also
claims other means of proving the prisoners
the same persons who were about the coun
try on the trips which young Stain describes
IN his confession.
The Journal man called attention to youns
Stain statements concerning the PASSAGE
taken on the Star of the East and referred t
the freight hills which he had placed in tht
hands ofthe prosecution as corroborative evl
dence of that part of the confession. Th
group admitted that although certain bill
were descriptive of the property, only
shipped, they would, perhaps, be of impor
tance when the prosecution established th
exact dates, as it claim to be able to do. III
also mentioned the fact discovered by tn
j, Journal, that Mrs. Taylor, the lady who KEEP
the boarding house where Stain and his mel
put up, remembered the name of Stain
which was considered good evidence that TIL
gang arrived at Gardiner as young Stain ha
declared. The Journal man also mentioned
the fact that Mrs Bowman, who was at th
Farmers Hotel at Augusta, had stated it wa
her recollection that, in 1878, when Mr. Rob
inson was landlord, the same gang came Their
and did not register as Stain said he coul'
not write. 1t was reported about town als'
this evening that the prosecution had evi
dence which substantiated the rest of younl
Stains story concerning the trip made AM
the various stopping places.
Concerning the vehicle in which the part.
travelled from Medway to Boston, and from
Gardiner to some further point, there is no
now the slightest doubt. 1t was wagon
Not only in the latter part of November whel
the last reconoitering trip was made but ais
when the robbery was committed. This j
shown in the first instance by the freight bill
and by the weather; in the second by the fac
that not until February 23rd had there beeI
any considerable or permanent amount o
snow. This fact the Journal ascertained be
fore our departure, from DR.. Sanborn of th
Insane Hospital. At Gardiner and August
% well % in the surrounding country, Their